U-995 - 6th War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

Departed	Date	Arrived	Date	Days at Sea
Narvik	30 November 1944	Bogenbucht	9 December 1944	10

 

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Ships Hit
Date	KTB Time	Position	Ship	Tons	Nationality	Convoy
5 Dec 44	02.04 - 04.16	69°51'N, 33°10'E	PROLETARIJ	1,123	Soviet	PK-20
			Total = 1,123
Note:  The positions in the table above and in the Google Earth patrol summary are derived from the KTB and in many cases do not match those set forth in authoritative references such as Jürgen Rohwer, Axis Submarine Successes of World War Two or the Uboat.net website.  The goal here is to present the picture relative to the U-boat and not the absolute position that the ship was attacked or sank.

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				K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
				======================
				"  U  995  "
				4th Operation.
				Kommandnant:  Oblt.zur See    H  e  s  s
				Beginning:    12.11.44.
				Ending    :      9.12.44.
			Distribution:   Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine Copy No. 1 Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine Copy No. 2 Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine 2.Skl.B.d.U.Op. Copy No. 3 Kommandierenden Admiral der Unterseeboote Copy No. 4 Führer der Unterseeboote Nordmeer Copy No. 5 Führer der Unterseeboote Ausbildung Copy No. 6 Kommando der 27. Unterseebootsflottille Copy No. 7 Kommando der 13. Unterseebootsflottille Copy No. 8
			Enclosures:   1  Track chart                    to Copy No. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 1  Summary of important Radio Messages Copy No 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
				© U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved

Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB

	- 3 -
		12. - 30.11.44		Narvik, berth.
		30.11.44
		21.30	Ofot-Fjord	"Cast off "ADVISO GRILLE"
				Left Narvik for radio direction finder calibration.
		23.00		Began outbound transit.
		23.20 - 00.08		Crash dive for training in diving area.
		01.12.44
		02.20		Lödingen, embarked pilot.
		04.00	AG 1119
			SSE 2, Sea 1, 8/10, Vis. 2000 meters, moonshine
		04.30		Harstad, disembarked pilot.
		07.35	Norwegian Sea	Passed point schwarz 25.
				Headed for AC 49 in accordance with outbound orders.
		08.00	AB 9865	Dived to proceed submerged by day at depth A -40 meters.
		12.00	AB 9862	Day's run:       Surfaced        105 nm
				Submerged       10 nm = 115 nm
		16.00	AB 9835	Dived to proceed submerged.
		17.02	[the above entry is probably intended to be here and say "Surfaced to proceed on the surface."]
		20.00	AB 9644
			SW 3-4, Sea 2, 8/10, Vis. 6000 meters, 1005 mb
		02.12.44
		00.00	AB 9393	Radio Message 2331/754:
				Falke, Hess high transit speed to AC 85 to Group Stier.
				- F.d.U. -
		04.00	AC 7152
			ESE 3, Sea 2-3, 3/10, Vis. 8000 meters, 1002 mb, moonlit
		07.08		Radio Message Repeat for Nees:
				ßß 0708/760:
				3 steamers, 4 destroyers AC 8577.    - U-363 -
				ßß 0644/759:
				Northwest, 24 nm.    - U-363 -
			Operated on these reports at highest speed.
		08.00	AC 7221	Test dive.
		08.21
		12.00	AC 7313	Day's run:       Surfaced        257 nm
				Submerged       11 nm = 268 nm
				Radio Message 0935/761:
				Group Stier:  Escorts are untrained and tired.  Get free of listening gear.  Only really sharp resistance may briefly force one on the defensive.  The more destroyers that are knocked off, the more insecure and cowardly they become.
				- F.d.U. -
		14.06		Dived to depth A -40 meters to listen.  No bearings.  Broke off search.  Periscope repairs.
		16.00	AC 7333
		16.48		Surfaced to continue on.
		20.00	AC 8158	Radio Message 1459/767:
			S 6, Sea 5, 7/10, 4000-6000 meters, 1006 mb	As attack areas occupy:  Falke 8575 as "Stock" 9, Hess 8492 as "Stock" 10, both AC.    - F.d.U. -

	Sun and Moon Data 30.11.44
	Sun and Moon Data 01.12.44
	Sun and Moon Data 02.12.44

	- 4 -
		03.12.44	Norwegian Sea
		00.00	AC 8439	Radio Message 1816/768:
				1.)  . . . . . . . .
				2.)  Group Stier when reporting smaller formations, hold contact, U-boats in the immediate vicinity attack and hang on, report, shoot. Take full advantage of every opportunity for success.
				- F.d.U. -
		03.37	AC 8492	Dived in position to depth A -50 meters.
		04.00	AC 8482
		08.00	AC 8495
		12.00	AC 8493	Day's run:       Surfaced        158 nm
			Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix 25°T, 12 nm (By landmarks on the Fischer Peninsula)	Submerged       13 nm = 168 nm
		16.00	AC 8499
			SbyW 5, Sea 3, Vis. 2000-3000 meters, 1009 mb
		16.35		Surfaced after touching bottom (depth 30 meters) and running along several wire lines:  Kekurski headland bearing 165°T, 0.5 nm (plotting error on the basis of false depth notations on English chart 2333).  Floating objects probably a boom barrier at Vayda Bay anchorage.
				Badly blacked out signal station at Majakkaniemi  Moved off.
		20.00	AC 8492	Dived after charging the battery.
		04.12.44
		00.00	AC 8496
		04.00	AC 8496	Unclear sound bearing in an easterly direction.
		04.23		Surfaced.
		04.35	AC 8496	Steamer, 6000 GRT, War Emergency Type with 2 escort vessels (stations changing) in 130°T, range - 6000-7000 meters, bow right target angle 15°.  Plotted course 270°, speed 9 knots.
			SbyW 3-4, Sea 2, overcast, 6000-8000 meters
			Varangerfjorden
		04.44		Before getting close to a favorable shooting range, enemy zigzaged to SSW-course, bearing 142°T, range - 4000 meters, bow right, target angle 120°.
				Maneuvered ahead.
		05.44	AC 8733	3-fan from tube I, III (T IIIa Fat 2), IV (T I Fat 1), depth 6 meters, torpedo speed 30 knots, target speed 9 knots, bow right target angle 111°, range - 3000 meters, enemy length 130 meters, legs right long, forerun 3000, 2500, 3000 meters.  Aimpoint bridge (In order not to miss shooting because of the proximity of land and lack of knowledge of precise navigation for Petsamo, where the convoy seemed to be going, shot despite the broad target angle and long range.  Therefore T V use against oncoming escort vessel not possible).
				Ran off at LF.
		05.52		After 8 minutes 34 seconds running time 1 torpedo detonation, hit at the end of the 2nd loop.
				Strong, dark billows of smoke over the steamer.  Later strong sulfur smell.  Turned towards the anchorage at the Kii Islands from the west and remained lying stopped there (by bearings).  Escorts went back to the steamer and zigzagged back and forth in front of the western entrance to the anchorage.

	Sun and Moon Data 03.12.44
	Sun and Moon Data 04.12.44

	- 5 -
		continued
		04.12.44	Varangerfjorden
		05.52		Apparently a beacon has been set up at Mali Kii Island.,  Green sector to the N-NW.
		07.10		Dived to proceed submerged by day.
		08.00	AC 8493
		10.25	AC 8493	Catalina in the periscope bearing 130°T, range - 4000 meters.
		11.15	AC 8493	14 aircraft bombs medium-close, many small detonations similar to Elektrolot.
		12.00	AC 8493	Day's run:       Surfaced         76 nm
				Submerged      30 nm = 106 nm
		14.25		Radio Message 1026/796
				Group Stier:  New disposition . . . . "Stock" 9 by Hess.
				- F.d.U. -
				New attack area is AC 8575.
		16.00	AC 8495
		18.30		Radio Message 1447/800:  Group Stier:
				Officer-Only Karl:  Increased radio traffic with apparently eastbound formation east of 25°W.  Arrival about 5 December midday assumed.  Highest readiness.
				- F.d.U. -
		20.00	AC 8496	Surfaced to charge.
		23.21		Dived for aircraft detection in 300°T, Volume 3.  Sound bearing in 270°T. Generally bad listening conditions.
		05.12.44	Murman Sea [Barents Sea]
		00.00	AC 8578
			ESE 3, Sea 2, overcast, 6000-8000 meters, moon breaking through from time to time
		00.11		Surfaced.  3 large steamers with several escort vessels bearing 248°T, range - 3500 meters, bow left target angle 70°.
			Since I must expect this is the only and best shooting opportunity, 3-fan on the center steamer (6000 GRT) from tubes I (T I Fat 1), III (T IIIa Fat 2), IV (T I Fat 1) depth 4 meters, 6 meters, 4 meters, torpedo speed - 30 knots, enemy speed - 9 knots, bow left, target angle 70°, range - 300 meters, loops left long, forerun 3500, 3000, 3500 meters.  Aimpoint center.
		00.20		Since Nees is requested to report more detailed information by Radio Message 707, I consider an immediate report of torpedoing necessary (had previously intended to maintain radio silence).
				Radio Message 0552/ 714:
				AC 8733 Fat-hit on sighted 6000-tonner Liberty possible, course Petsamo, strong smoke development, sulfur odor.  Catalina in the morning.        - Hess -
		00.21		ßß 0021/713:
				Convoy AC 8577.    - U-995 -
		00.23		After 8 minutes 5 seconds one torpedo detonation, brief illumination observed.  Steamer settled momentarily aft strongly.  Convoy reduced speed to about 7 knots, loaded with 2 T V forward.
				Maneuvered ahead.

	Sun and Moon Data 04.12.44
	Sun and Moon Data 05.12.44

	- 6 -
		continued
		05.12.44
		00.23		From multiple observations with passing coastal convoys lighthouses along the Rybatschi Peninsula burn (1.  Heinäsaari.  2. Mali Kii (see above), 3.  Vaitolahti on Cape Nemetskiy, 4.  Zubovskiye-Lazar, 5. Tsyp-Navolok).
				3 escort vessels ahead (1 gun boat LENIN-Class, mine searcher BUIK-Class, or escort boats also possible).  2 escort vessels behind.  Between then several motorboats.  Steamer in double line ahead.  Let convoy come on in sharp target angle.
		01.33		ßß 0133/715:
				Convoys AC 8579.    - U-995 -
				(Since 00.36 hours tried to send signal 3 times.)
		01.35		ßß 0135/716:
				Speed 10 knots, Course SE.    - U-995 -
		01.37	AC 8579	Escort vessel in alignment with medium steamer.  Reversal shot from tube V, depth 4 meters, speed 8 knots, bow left target angle 60°, range - 1800 meters, steering WS.  Aimpoint stern of the escort.  Moved off ahead, at LF, let the escorts pass.
			ESE 3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. 6000-8000 meters
		01.58		Advanced on a steamer from abeam to port.
		02.00		Reversal shot on medium steamer (Liberty type) 7000 GRT from tube II.  Depth 4 meters, speed 8 knots, bow left, target angle 80°, range - 1800 meters, aimpoint stern.  LF with E-motors, to remain on the surface.
		02.03	AC 8579	Reversal shot on last steamer (6000 GRT, already torpedoed) from tube III.  Depth 4 meters, speed 8 knots, bow left target angle 60°, range - 2000 meters, steering WS, aimpoint stern.
				Because in the meantime the flank escort vessel has closed to bow left target angle 15° at 800 meters, stopping or proceeding on E-motors is no longer advisable.
		02.04		Crash dive  !
				After 5 minutes 24 seconds torpedo detonation, assume on Liberty steamer.  With 2nd torpedo no detonation observed: at the calculated hit time, loud rumbling in the boat due to bottom contact (depth 160 meters)
				Reloaded.
		03.11		Surfaced.  Convoy in 135°T, target angle 180°, range - 6000 meters.  Pursued.
				During the submerged time of more than an hour, the convoy only covered about 7000 meters.  Assumed that speed was reduced or temporarily stopped after a reversal hit.
				Steamers in old formation, behind an escort (Torpedo boat, BURJA Class) zigzagged back and forth.
				When I closed to 1500 meters, after Morse communication, the zigzagging Torpedo boat and the port flank escort came back and closed to 1000 meters, from both sides. (Presumably I was now detected for the first time.)

Sun and Moon Data 05.12.44

	- 7 -
		continued
		05.12.44
		03.53		Drew aft to starboard, because the last T V was intended for the convoy.  Escorts can be bypassed.  Port escort throws depth charges.  Believe the enemy thinks we have dived.
		03.53		Radio Message 0015/718:
				AC 8579 3 steamers, 5 escorts, several motor boats at 8 knots along Rybatschi.  Fat hit on 6000 tonner, reversal hit on Liberty.  1 TV remains.
		[typo the radio message was from U-995]		- F.d.U. -
		04.00	AC 8821
			ESE 3, Sea 2, overcast, moon lit through the clouds
		04.16	AC 8821	Reversal shot on already torpedoed 6000 GRT steamer from tube V.  Depth 4 meters, enemy speed - 8 knots, bow right target angle 100°, range 1300 meters, steering WS (with regard to the following vessels).  Moved off at LF.
		04.19		After 3 minutes 25 seconds very strong detonation, high white explosion column, 2 further explosions (probably boilers).  Freighter capsized, disappeared after about 30 seconds.
		04.58		ßß 0458/720:
				Have sunk merchant steamer 6000 GRT.  Return transit due to consumption of torpedoes.    - U-995 -
				Moved off into attack area.
		05.40		Dived after battery charging to depth A -50 meters.
		08.00	AC 8573
		08.25		Radio Message 0541/721:
				Hess from F.d.U.:
				1)  Bravo.
				2.  For now remain in attack area to detect expected PQ-convoy.
		12.00	AC 8576	Day's run:       Surfaced           88 nm
				Submerged     27.6 nm = 115.6 nm
		15.00		Faint sound bearing from 2 light motor vessels in 75°T and 275°T.
		15.16		Surfaced to search for the expected PQ-convoy to the east and west with large search legs, whose forerunner may be the 2 vessels.  Nothing found.
		16.00	AC 8573
		16.16		Dived to depth A -50 meters.
		20.00	AC 8575
		06.12.44
		00.00	AC 8587	Surfaced to charge.
			SSE 3-4, Sea 3, 8/10, Vis. 5000 meters	Detection Fliege bearing 10°T, Volume 1, quickly growing to Volume 3.  Assume aircraft.
		00.11		Dived to depth A -40 meters.
		02.09		Surfaced to charge.
		03.45		Radio Message 1723/727:
				1.  . . . . . . . .
				2.  6 December 04.00 hours . . . . . . . . Hess, Falke, return transit Andfjord.    - F.d.U. -
		04.00	AC 8575	Began return transit.

	Sun and Moon Data 05.12.44
	Sun and Moon Data 06.12.44

	- 8 -
		continued
		06.12.44
		07.32		Dived to proceed submerged by day at depth A -40 meters.
		08.00	AC 8515
		12.00	AC 8512	Day's run:       Surfaced        60.4 nm
				Submerged      27.9 nm = 88.3 nm
		16.00	AC 8277
		17.00		2 light fast, not shifting propeller sounds.  No Volume change.  Suspect deployed sound buoy.
		18.00		Surfaced to proceed on the surface.
		20.00	AC 8164	Loud voice traffic on 5450 Khz, could not take bearings, because speech was too brief.  4 different call signs observed.  In addition to telegraphy traffic on the same frequency, partly open, (numbers spelled out, on deck watch keeper) partly 5 character groups.
				No report made, because contact by Falke in the same sea area is already known.
		07.12.44
		00.00	AC 5779
			SSE 3, Sea 2-3, 7/10, 1000-3000 meters, changing
		04.00	AC 4986
		07.00		Dived to proceed submerged by day at depth A -50 meters.
		08.00	AC 4896
		12.00	AC 4895	Day's run:       Surfaced        136.5 nm
				Submerged      25.3 nm
				161.8 nm
		16.00	AC 4894	Surfaced to proceed submerged.
		20.00	AC 4796
			SSE 5, Sea 4, 7/10, 2000-3000 meters, 1005 mb
		08.12.44
		00.00	AC 4776
		00.53		ßß 0053/769:
				Am 30 hours off objective point.    - U-995 -
		04.00	AB 9338
		08.00	AB 9385
			SbyE 2-3, Sea 2, 6/10, 6000-8000 meters, 1011 mb
			Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix 66T, 15 nm
		08.26		Dived to proceed submerged by day at depth A -40 meters.
		12.00	AB 9383	Day's run:       Surfaced        141 nm
				Submerged     14.2 nm = 155.2 nm
		15.43		Surfaced to proceed submerged.  [typo on the surface]
		16.00	AB 9388	Radio Message 0936/698:
				Hess:  1)  It radiates hourly . . . . . . .
				2)  Beacon NP 6 . . . . . . . .
				3)  Off and in Andfjord expect increased U-boat and air danger.  High transit speed, zigzags.
				- U-boat Base Harstad -

	Sun and Moon Data 06.12.44
	Sun and Moon Data 07.12.44
	Sun and Moon Data 08.12.44

	- 9 -
		continued
		08.12.44
		16.00		Radio Message 1008/697:
				4.  Mind the mine warning area off Toppsund
				5.  On passing Signal Station Harstad give Morse name, take over pilot, transit to Bogenbucht alongside "STELLA".
				6.  Observe Nordmeer Order No. 4.
		20.00	AB 9645
		09.12.44
		00.00	AB 9667
			SSE 3, Sea 2, 4/10, 2000-3000 meters, 1002 mb
		03.16		Dived to depth A -30 meters.
		04.00	AB 9868
		06.15		Passed schwarz 25.
		08.00	AB 9895
		08.10 - 08.15	AB 9895	Brief E-motor sounds shifting from 70°T to 70°[?].  Suspect enemy U-boat.
		09.10		Surfaced.
		09.59		ßß 00959/65:
				1 U-boat AB 9895.    - U-995 -
		11.20		Arrived in Harstad.  Embarked pilot.
		12.00	AG 1115	Day's run:       Surfaced        140 nm
				Submerged     27.8 nm = 178.5 nm
		12.40		Left Harstad.
		15.45		Disembarked pilot at Lödingen.
		16.00	AG 1157
		18.36		Made fast alongside "STELLA POLARIS".
				Remaining day's run:       Surfaced        64 nm
				Submerged     -- nm = 64 nm
				Total day's run:       Surfaced        1222.0 nm
				Submerged     187.0 nm
				1409.0 nm
				F  i  n  a  l    C  o  n  s  i  d  e  r  a  t  i  o  n  s  .
				================================
			The operations area north of the Rybatschi Peninsula offered frequent opportunities for attack and was reminiscent of old U-boat times.  For this reason the morale and behavior of the crew was very good.
			On board, 9 December 1944
				Oberleutnant zur See and
				Kommandant

	Sun and Moon Data 08.12.44
	Sun and Moon Data 09.12.44

 

	Enclosures to U-995's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Chart	Track chart of entire patrol

 

	Enclosure 1 to F.d.U. Norm. Gkdos - 628 -
	Comments of the F.d.U. Nordmeer
	on the K.T.B. "U-995" from 12.11. to 9.12.1944
	1) Spirited operation of the young Kommandanten.  Good shooting opportunities were used energetically, even if not quite skillfully yet.   Success: 1 steamer 6000 GRT sunk, 1 further torpedoes, apparently set on the beach,     1 hit on Liberty ship. 2) To 5 December 01.37 hours and the following:  Convoy probably ran slower then 8 knots, so that the reversal shots passed ahead.  Reversal shots must be aimed carefully and go past behind rather than ahead. However, it is best to strive for target angles around zero or 180°! 3) To 5 December 02.05:  With the crash dive went too deep.  Initially steer to at most depth A +60 meters.

	Führer der Unterseeboote
	N  o  r  d  m  e  e  r                                                     On board, 21 February 1945
	B.Nr. Gkdos.  - 628 -
	6 Copies
	Copy No.   1
	To
	Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine - 1.Skl -,
	Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine - 2.Skl. B.d.U. - Op. -,
	Kommandierender Admiral der Unterseeboote,
	Führer der Unterseebootesausbildung,
	Kommando 27. Unterseebootsflottille,
	Kommando 13. Unterseebootsflottille.
	Subject:  Reporting "U-995".
	- 2 + 3 - Enclosures.
	Enclosed is the K.T.B. of "U-995" from 12.11. to 9.12.1944.
	Copy No: - 1 + 2 - with Enclosures in accordance with Standing War Order B.d.U. 501 and the Comments of the "F.d.U. Nordmeer" is submitted/transmitted.

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